Developmental Milestones

Presenters: Lorraine Medici, Executive Supervisor Marianne Gernetzke, OTR/L, Supervisor

2006 UBAH National Convention

Part I: Focus on Child Development

Why Focus on Developmental Milestones? BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE:

understanding of child development can assist in improved book suggestions for your customers.

EDUCATE: Improve ability to represent yourself as an educational consultant in promoting literacy and reading readiness.

INCREASE YOUR PASSION: Better appreciate the expertise applied in the design of our wonderful books.

Your Typically Developing Child and Usborne Books

Provides basic developmental tasks & interests of the typical child, sorted by age, and correlates with suitable Usborne books.

Can be used as:

Reference tool Book selection assist Consultant Training

Today’s example: How does the first year of life prepare a child to read? Is it relevant?

Ready to be a Great Reader? Visual/perceptual, auditory, and

cognitive abilities to learn and sequence letters/phonemes

Physical ability to manipulate books and to control body (e.g. posture)

Awareness/familiarity with reading role models

Emotional ability to relate to and/or imitate role models; also to focus and maintain attention

Associate reading/learning with fun Background knowledge and

vocabulary are important for increased comprehension and motivation to read.

Development of a Reader

Are books of importance in my infant’s development?

Why should I read to my infant?

Is this child REALLY getting ready to read??

Building Blocks of Child Development: the First Year

Tasks completed in the first year provide the foundation for ALL development including reading readiness and skills necessary for literacy.

Baby/Toddler Enjoys Sensory Experiences

Exploration and sensory experiences prepare child for ALL life learning experiences: brain and body are learning to interpret and influence the world.

Sometimes we can’t (or don’t) appreciate something’s value until it is missing!

Early Developmental Experiences

Fetal ResearchBabies who were read

to in utero demonstrated recognition of vocabulary after birth.

Research has also demonstrated recognition of music.

Auditory Sensation

Present before birth Child recognizes

parent’s voices Can serve to soothe

child, give feedback Needed for early

receptive communication

Missed Development Delayed language Poor vocabulary and

reduced background knowledge

Reduced ability to respond appropriately to sounds or language

Missed opportunity to imitate and connect with adults

Touch Sensation Also developed prior to

birth; continues to develop with experience

Is earliest form of communication between parent and child

Essential for bonding and emotional growth

An integral part of reading books!

Missed Development Attachment (bonding)

issues and poor emotional development

Difficulty interacting appropriately with people, pets, and objects

Poor body awareness & coordination

Poor ability to manipulate objects like pages in a book

Movement Sensations(Vestibular, Proprioceptive, Kinesthetic)

Vestibular sensation present at birth: rocking, bouncing, etc. soothe baby – also connected to emotional growth.

With experience and exploration, child develops increased awareness of movement sensations and his/her body

Movement sensation is necessary to develop normal movement.

Missed DevelopmentResults include: Poor body awareness Poor coordination and

posture Poor self-control

Visual Sensation & Perception Visual acuity (ability to

focus) is fully developed by 6 months of age w/stimulation

Important for non-verbal communication and learning by observation

Visual experiences are needed to develop accurate perception of objects, images, and symbols.

Missed Development

Very poor visual focusing ability

Lazy eye and eye misalignment

Poor understanding of what he sees --reduced background knowledge AND very delayed visual perception

If those blocks have been assembled… Child is connecting with and

beginning to imitate adults Sensory exploration has

provided strong foundation for ongoing learning, development of emotional control, increased physical coordination, and emerging attention skills

Child has obtained background knowledge of all types

Child is familiar with and enjoying simple books, pictures, and activities

Can Usborne Books Help Assemble those Blocks? YES! Clear simple pictures and

vibrant colors are easy to see

Claymation photos are fun and easy to understand

Easy to manipulate pages Simple puzzles and

manipulation opportunities Touchy-feely fun Bath books incorporated

into sensory time Rattle books encourage

movement experiences Vocabulary builders Wonderful chance for

parent-child interactions

So, how do I use the Developmental Milestone documentin my home show demonstration?

Main goals for using the Developmental Milestones document

To sell LITERACY!

Increase individual and overall home show sales.

Provide great customers offers through sets, combined volumes and “stand alone” books over $10.

Help parents with decision making by combining developmental education and product knowledge.

Developmental Milestone Document

Front page highlights of theDevelopmental Milestones document

1. Give a brief overview of the different markets Usborne offers.

Home Shows Book Fairs Reach for the Stars Literacy for a Lifetime (Corporate matching) Business Opportunities

Front page highlights of theDevelopmental Milestones document

2. Sell Literacy! Need a reason?? 30% National Dropout Rate – (Time Magazine, 4/17/06)

Front page highlights of theDevelopmental Milestones document

3. Provide contact information Name, address, phone numbers, website,

email address.

Developmental Milestone Document

Back page highlights of theDevelopmental Milestones document

Explain sets and combined volumes.

Explain how they save.

Explain purpose for the check boxes.

Then, introduce each age group with reading the developmental milestones that apply and sharing recommended best buys.

Highlight a Specialty Set for Each Age

Infant and Toddler Set

(Music, Touchy-Feely, Words, Numbers)

Highlight a Specialty Set for Each Age

Reading Readiness Set

(Fiction, Art, Math, Phonics)

Highlight a Specialty Set for Each Age

PreK-2nd Grade

(Fiction, Early Science, Rare Words)Picture Book Stories

Highlight a Specialty Set for Each Age

Middle School Age

Internet-link Encyclopedia Set

Specialty Sets

Science Lover’s

$69.95

Does the Developmental Milestone document work at home shows?

YES!! Here’s how:

We have a real crisis in this country! Our product is timely.

You address all aspects of your business.

You highlight developmental and educational milestones through literacy statistics and the benefits of our books.

Your show will have a more “professional” approach; cut above other shows.

Does the Developmental Milestone document work at home shows?

YES!! Here’s how:

Help tailor the needs of your customers with great choices and savings.

You will increase your individual and overall home show sales when you focus on sets, combined volumes and stand alone books over $10.

This document can help a new recruit learn “the ropes” as well as a more experienced consultant wanting to polish her home shows.

Thank you!

Questions?